Old blood just as good as fresh blood for patients in need

March 17, 2015 2:46 PM

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Testing showed no advantage to using fresh blood in transfusions for the critically ill.

Like most items in the refrigerator, blood has a shelf life. It doesn't stay fresh forever. Current guidelines suggest blood is good and safe (as long as it's properly stored) for as long as 42 days. But doctors performing transfusions routinely request the freshest blood possible, believing it's be...